Ryan Wendell is Patriots' anchor

The Patriots had just three offensive players start all 16 games this season, a reflection of the pounding that even the most physically fit body absorbs in the NFL. There was quarterback Tom Brady, a future Hall of Famer; and left tackle Nate Solder, a former first-round draft pick entrusted with protecting Brady's blindside. The third member of the dependable trio didn't have anywhere near that kind of recognition.

The Patriots had just three offensive players start all 16 games this season, a reflection of the pounding that even the most physically fit body absorbs in the NFL.

There was quarterback Tom Brady, a future Hall of Famer; and left tackle Nate Solder, a former first-round draft pick entrusted with protecting Brady's blindside. The third member of the dependable trio didn't have anywhere near that kind of recognition.

That would be center Ryan Wendell, who had previously appeared in 31 games and made five starts since making the Patriots' practice squad in 2008 as an undrafted rookie out of Fresno State.

Wendell has brought stability to a position that was in constant flux last season. The Patriots started four players at center due to a string of injuries. And Wendell has done so while drawing little attention to himself, always a good thing for a center because it means he hasn't messed up.

“The center-to-quarterback exchange is just the most critical part to any play,” coach Bill Belichick said recently. “You can't have a good play without that. But that's been a great strength of Wendy's throughout his career here. Shotgun snaps, under-center snaps, wet games, snow, whatever it is, he's been very dependable there. It all starts with that.”

The potential pitfalls are many. Sometimes Wendell has to execute a traditional snap and then reach block. Other times, it's a shotgun snap and then immediately trying to tie up a pass rusher.

“He does a good job of that,” Belichick said, citing Wendell's discipline and concentration. “You can't underestimate that part of the center's job. You take it for granted until you have a bad one, and it's all bad after that.”

Wendell, in typical offensive lineman fashion (at least around here), took a pass on assessing his play for a team that won 12 games and is headed to the playoffs for the third straight season. The Patriots open postseason play in the AFC divisional round on Jan. 13 at Gillette Stadium.

“I'd feel more comfortable answering that after the season,” he said politely.

Wendell was much more at ease talking about how he first got involved in football.

Growing up in Diamond Bar, Calif., about 30 miles east of Los Angeles, Wendell was overweight as a kid. That led to his mom's refusal to let him play football until his freshman year in high school.

“I think it had to do with her worrying about me getting hurt when I was younger,” Wendell said. “I was a chubby kid who would have had to play with kids a lot older than me. I think my mom just wanted me to wait until I was playing with kids my own age.”

Wendell grew up wanting to be an offensive lineman, idolizing the likes of Bruce Matthews and Tony Boselli, both of whom would star at nearby Southern Cal before going on to decorated careers in the NFL.

“I was eager to play offensive line,” he said. “They get to hit.”

Wendell would have his jersey number retired at Diamond Bar after earning a scholarship to Fresno State, where he played left guard. During his freshman season, he lined up next to Logan Mankins, a current teammate in New England.

Wendell spent most of his first two professional seasons on the practice squad before appearing, mainly in a reserve role, in 15 games in 2010 and 14 last season. He has made steady improvement under the guidance of position coach Dante Scarnecchia.

“You learn things from the people around you, from the coaches and the guys around you, how to do things better,” Wendell said. “There's always more room for improvement, so I feel like I'm doing things better now than I was five years ago, and hopefully in the future, I'll be doing things better as well.”

Away from the field, Wendell enjoys following NASCAR and spending time outdoors, hunting and fishing when possible. He's also a huge movie fan who favors the work of Daniel Day-Lewis, gave a thumbs-up to “Lincoln,” and is eager to see “Django Unchained” and “Les Miserables.”

One of the draws to the movies is Wendell gets to sit down and relax, something that rarely occurs during a football season that starts in July and can stretch into early February, as was the case last year when the Patriots reached the Super Bowl.

Belichick opened his news conference Wednesday by paying tribute to equipment manager Don Brocher, who passed away Tuesday following a season-long battle with leukemia.

Brocher, who turned 60 in November, was the franchise's longest-tenured employee, having worked for the Patriots for 41 years. The Boston native had worked 834 consecutive Patriots games before his streak was snapped in the preseason.

“First of all, I'd just say that as a football team, organization, we're saddened by the loss of Donny this weekend,” Belichick said. “In a game where — we all saw what changes were made on Monday throughout the league — for somebody to be here for 40 years, doing the job that he did for so many owners, coaches, general managers, you name it, players, is really a tribute to his dedication, consistency, dependability and the quality of the work that he did.”

As a tribute, the Patriots ran a montage of photos of Brocher on the TV in the locker room.

Belichick on the news that Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis will retire at the end of this season: “Tremendous player, tremendous career. I've known Ray since I went down and visited with him in 1996 prior to the draft in Miami. He's had a great career, he's a great player.” … Brady, defensive end Rob Ninkovich and linebacker Dont'a Hightower were absent from practice, which was held outside in windy, chilly conditions.

CDL A DELIVERY DRIVERS Home Every Night! Needed for our Worcester Depot! Drive local - No more spending valuable nights away from your family! As a Direct Store Delivery Representative YOU have the opportunity to make a difference with our customers! Provide excellent customer service; interact in a positive manner with our customers; deliver our products to local stores. Be home every night! Work for a Company that has been around for over 80 years! Minimum of 3 months driving experience with CDL A/B; GED or HS diploma required; Must be able to drive a standard transmission. EEO/Veteran/Disability Growing Strong Since1933!